as in whine
an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment
a chorus of moans and grumbles when they found out that the overnight camping trip had been cancelled
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
he grumbled about how sore his feet were after standing all day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of grumble
Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 20 Feb. 2026
But officiating grumbles aside, Hamburg were the story, giving a magnificent performance in spite of the imbalance between the two teams.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Tom Tapp, Deadline, 17 May 2026
The two-time Masters champion spun, glared at the spectator, grumbled under his breath and seemed to point out the person to security.
—ABC News, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for grumble
Noun
The emissions testing requirement still receives many a grumble from those who have to do it.
—Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 20 Feb. 2026
But officiating grumbles aside, Hamburg were the story, giving a magnificent performance in spite of the imbalance between the two teams.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
At a Cannes where some have grumbled about a paucity of studio movies (and thus stars), the absence of Scarlett Johansson at last night’s premiere of Paper Tiger was notable.
—Tom Tapp, Deadline, 17 May 2026
The two-time Masters champion spun, glared at the spectator, grumbled under his breath and seemed to point out the person to security.
—ABC News, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for grumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grumble
Noun
-
Test recordings sounded clear and full, and the noise cancellation completely blocked out the buzz and whine of my 3D printer.—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
14 June 2026
-
Lee's voice has always been Sui generis, a distinctive instrument caught between a whine and a yelp yet immediately recognizable.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
At one practice during the fall of 2024, Washington’s assistant athletic director of football academics Diamond Brown was standing on the sideline when Jonah bounded up to her in full pads and begun complaining about his grade in a music class.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
21 June 2026
-
How to complain with flair at a restaurant when things go awry?—
The Editors,
Robb Report,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Could the growling creature be responsible for the gouges by Zampanò’s dead body?—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
12 June 2026
-
The big question is whether people who pay hundreds of thousands of euros for growling gas-guzzlers will also shell out for electric versions.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
The child’s eyes were swollen and milky, their mouth agape in a silent moan.—
Taran Dugal,
New Yorker,
23 May 2026
-
Where my world was hemmed in by ridgelines and holler roads, Mary Lennox’s world was hemmed in by fog and wind and the low moan of a manor house that seemed to breathe on its own.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The keeper could do nothing but flail and then turn and scream in frustration at his defense’s failings at the crucial moment.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
-
Elena called for Harold, who ran out in his boxers — both men screamed at each other and threatened to call the cops.—
Olivia Bensimon,
Curbed,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Bored Lord and AceMo, longtime bastions of their respective coastal scenes, offer up two rumbling club heaters.—
Benny Sun,
Pitchfork,
17 June 2026
-
Elijah Just rumbled toward the box and seemed to pinball around the Iranian defense.—
Iliana Limón Romero,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
The plot unraveled on June 11 when Proper's mother went to police with concerns about her son's behavior online, recent firearms purchases and plans to travel, according to a criminal complaint.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
-
The Patriots claim that Foxborough improperly charged them approximately $1 million in new administrative fees when, according to the complaint, the town only has state authorization to charge up to $100 per year to renew stadium entertainment licenses.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grumble. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
